Saturday, September 4, 2010

Microbicide hits snag: It's about the money honey

When scientists celebrated the announcement in July that a vaginal microbicide had finally been found that significantly reduced H.I.V. infections in women, there was still a prosaic — though essential — piece of the puzzle missing: money.

Donors have not committed enough money for even one of the two studies needed to confirm a promising South African trial of the microbicide and get it into women’s hands. Only about $58 million of the $100 million needed for follow-up research has been pledged, according to Unaids, the United Nations AIDS agency. Experts say shifting global health priorities and tight finances in the West are making it hard to raise the rest.

Advocates say any delay could be deadly. Most of the 22 million people infected with H.I.V. in sub-Saharan Africa are women, and about a million women on the continent are infected each year. If subsequent studies find the gel effective, women could use it to protect themselves even when men refuse to use condoms.

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IRMA (International Rectal Microbicide Advocates) is the bottom line in HIV prevention. We work to advance the research and development of safe, effective, acceptable and accessible rectal microbicides - agents that could provide protection against HIV during anal intercourse - for the women, men, and transgender individuals around the world who need options beyond latex.